March 2022 Newsletter: Women Making Waves: DRF celebrates Women’s Day this March!
April 13, 2022May Newsletter 2022: DRF releases Cyber Harassment Helpline Annual Report 2021
June 14, 2022Policy Initiatives
DRF launched Annual Report 2021
DRF launched its annual report 2021 which is a summation of the work we have done over the year, the people helped, and the milestones we’ve achieved!
Link to annual report: https://staging-m.digitalrightsfoundation.pk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Annual-Report-2021.pdf
Policy Papers: Perspectives on Gendered Disinformation
DRF launched its anthology titled “Policy Papers: Perspectives on Gendered Disinformation” throughout March and April 2022. The research study, with contributions from 6 authors, is brings feminist perspectives from the Global South to the subject of disinformation. A must read for anyone interested in these subjects and the future of the internet!
The anthology/report can be accessed here.
DRF condemns arrests and harassment for online speech and dissent.
DRF released a statement condemning the arrests and harassment for online speech and dissent on political party workers. Read our full statement here.
DRF signed an MoU with Bali Memorial Trust
An MoU was signed between DRF and Bali Memorial Trust this week. This agreement is a formal recognition of a fruitful partnership in which both organizations will try their best to help each other to the best of their abilities with the services they can provide.
Online Campaigns
Phishing Scams
DRF shared an awareness-raising infographic on phishing scams and how they are becoming more and more common as the use of social media rises worldwide.
#WomenMakingWaves
DRF continued with its women making waves campaign and celebrated the feminist icon Asma Jahangir! Asma Jahangir left behind a legacy based on her work in human rights that is as powerful as it is inspiring!
Trainings’/Workshops
New Agendas for Data Justice
April 6. 2022
DRF took part in a panel discussion titled “New Agendas for Data Justice” hosted by the Alan Turing Institute to talk about its participation in the multi-country project on data justice.
Details of the panel can be found here.
Details of the data justice project can be accessed here.
Online Safety Workshop
April 18, 2022
DRF conducted a workshop with media professionals, particularly focusing on Urdu media, to build their understanding and capacity in using safe online practices to advance their work in digital journalism. The workshop was held in Lahore and was attended by 17 people in total.
Meeting with Ombudsperson:
April 12, 2022
DRF’s legal team had a meeting with the Ombudsperson (Punjab) and submitted proposed amendments to ‘The (Punjab) Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act’. During the meeting, the challenges faced by the survivors of sexual harassment at workplace were discussed. Moreover, the possibility of collaboration was considered.
Press/Media Coverage
Digital rights body receives 4,441 blackmailing complaints
DRF’s Cyber Harassment Helpline received 4441 blackmailing complaints in 2021 alone.
Read the full article here: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/952849-digital-rights-body-receives-4-441-blackmailing-complaints
Civil Liberties Groups Urge Social Media Platforms to Better Protect Free Flow of Information in Crisis Zones
DRF signed a statement with other civil liberties groups on how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underscores the need to plan for emergencies and treat all crisis zones even-handedly.
Read the full statement here:
COVID19/Updates
Cyber Harassment Helpline
In March of 2022, the Cyber Harassment Helpline catered to 206 unique cases of online violence. The majority of the complaints received by our team were made by women. Callers on the helpline range from lawyers and journalists to members of minority groups, too.
You can reach out to us at 0800-39393 or helpdesk@digitalrightsfoundation.pk .
IWF Portal
DRF in collaboration with Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and the Global Fund to End Violence Against Children launched a portal to combat children’s online safety in Pakistan. The new portal allows internet users in Pakistan to anonymously report child sexual abuse material in three different languages- English, Urdu, and Pashto.
www.report.iwf.org.uk/pk
StopNCII.org
Meta along with Revenge Porn Helpline (RPH) has launched a portal to support victims of Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse (NCII). NCII is a free portal for reporting cases of sensitive or sexual content existing online. Once you report a case, the necessary steps will be taken to block the images from the platform.
https://stopncii.org
